I don't own PJO or HoO. Thanks to IShipPertemisOnly for beta reading this chapter.


Chapter 1: Jason

Jason woke up in his quiet praetor's cabin. He glanced at his clock, 9:00 am. Why do I keep waking up so early? He thought to himself. It's been one month since the war with Gaea. Yet, the Romans didn't have a chance to return back to Camp Jupiter, as Chiron requested they stay for at least six weeks to help settle things at Camp Half-Blood.

After two weeks of residing with the Greeks, Jason decided he was staying with them, permanently.

Everyone seemed thrilled when the announcement was issued. Except, Jason noted, Reyna, the Praetor of the Twelfth Legion. She appeared distant around him lately and constantly gave him an expression she used when she was in deep thoughts. Deep, unpleasant thoughts. Jason tries to ignore them, but it's kind of hard to enjoy your breakfast when someone is glowering at you from across the room.

Enough of this, you just fought in your biggest battle yet, no need for more trouble. Think pleasant thoughts. Think about Piper. He grinned to himself. Piper, she was something else, in a good sense, of course. She was perfect for him. From her chocolate-washed hair to her kaleidoscope eyes, and her delicate lips.

The former month of pulling everything together after the war went smoothly for him because she was with him every step of the process, which for that, he was grateful. His thoughts were disrupted when he heard a gentle knock on the door.

He reluctantly got up out of bed to go open up. "Pipes!" He exclaimed. He winced at bright sunlight, but smiled.

"Hey, Sparky," She responded, raising her brows. "For a sleepyhead like you, you're up pretty early. "

"I now wish I am sleeping," He muttered. He let her step in, then closed the door.

"What are you doing today?" She asked, fidgeting with her fingers.

"Why?"

"No reason," She innocently smiled.

Jason didn't buy it for a second. "Uh huh, I totally believe you," He said, sarcasm layered thick in his voice.

"Okay, fine. What do you want to do today?" She crossed her arms. He didn't miss the way her eyes dropped down to his chest, back to his face, then back down again.

He paused for a moment and really looked at her. She was wearing an extremely faint blue tank top and skinny jeans. Simple and cute. Hot. Stop gawking like a middle schooler, Jason mentally cringed. He then smiled.

"Usual spot?"

"Usual spot," She confirmed, her eyes twinkling as she grinned.

With the stress of settling everything down after the war, Jason and Piper had found a secluded area in which very few knew about. They would go there at least once a day, just to get away from everyone else. Together.

"Okay, let me just get ready. Give me five minutes?" Jason asked.

"Take your time," She countered, a warm look on her face. She glanced at his chest before he turned away, and a pretty pink blossomed on her cheeks when Jason smirked at her.

Jason opened his drawer, fished out a Camp Half-blood shirt that would piss Reyna off, dark jeans, and his comb. He went into the bathroom, pushing the door shut behind him, not really caring if Piper got more than a glimpse. After having changed into the fresh new clothes, he carefully combed back his hair. Jason winced; it was growing longer, to the back of his neck now, and Piper wouldn't let him cut it. She said when it was always in his eyes it made him look like a normal seventeen-year-old, instead of a leader of a bunch of Roman gladiators.

It wasn't that Jason didn't like it; everyone liked his hair, it was just...different. It was soft, really soft—according to Piper—and also according to Piper, it 'shined like gold' in the light. Jason had scratched his head when she first told him, he replied he supposed that was nice.

Nice, Jason snorted at his reflection.

He took one last glimpse into the mirror, then headed out.

He found a little surprise, though. His bed was expertly done, and his filthy clothes were all in the laundry basket. He also noticed his curtains were open, which allowed tons of light to occupy the area.

Wow, he thought. It's not every day your girlfriend cleans up your cabin for you. Finally, his eyes settled on Piper, tinkering with his clock. He gave her a puzzled look.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Your clock is wrong."

"Well, yeah, I know. But what's wrong with it?"

"The time is two hours early."

Jason's brain switched on. "Wait, so that means—"

"Yes, Jace, it's 7:15 right now."

He reacted with a groan. "Why? Just why are you doing this to me?" He thought out loud.

"Um, if you honestly prefer to look at the false time, that's fine," Said a confused Piper.

"What? Oh, uh, I think I was reflecting out loud. I'm mad at myself for waking up too early, you could say. Been doing that for the past week. You know, post-war trauma," He grinned sheepishly.

Piper smirked.

"What?" He demanded.

"Nothing. Anyhow, you ready?" She scanned him. "Oh, no, that will not work," She told him.

"What?" He inquired.

She sauntered up to him, then ruffled his hair so it looked not too formal or too casual. "Today, you're not Praetor Jason; you're just my Jason," She chuckled. "You're not going anywhere with me looking all proper like that."

"Oh, well, thanks for the compliment," He muttered.

"Don't let it get to your head."

"Thanks, Pipes."

She leaned in and pecked him. "Are you all good to go?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Are you positive?"

"Piper, yes."

"So, you're going barefoot?"

Jason looked down. "Oh," Embarrassed he overlooked something as basic as that, he snatched his socks and boots, relying on the support of the bed to put them on. He finished, then stood up and presented himself to an amused Piper.

"Okay, now you're ready," She beamed.

With that, they strolled out the door.